Shul News & Notes

Fresh on the heels of December’s highly successful personal care items collection for CAST, the four shul women behind the project have organized as the Tikkun Olam Initiative, and are about to launch the next chapter of giving on behalf of our shul.

“Put a Chicken in Every Pot” is the initiative for February and March. CAST has identified chickens as a major need during winter’s cold months, and the women have responded, purchasing 64 whole chickens so far, thanks to a generous donation from a shul member, who applauded what the women had done with the personal care collection.

Throughout the two months, the foursome will be accepting donations to purchase chickens. Each donation of $18 will purchase three chickens and, for your generosity, your name will be entered into a monthly raffle for a dozen organic eggs delivered to your door.

Here’s how you can help: Write a check for $18 (or whatever amount you care to donate) to Congregation Tifereth Israel, with Tikkun Olam written on the memo line. Send your check to CTI, P.O. Box 659, Greenport, NY, 11944. Or, to pay by credit card, visit the shul’s website (www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org), click on the “Donate” tab at the top of the home page, scroll down to Tikkun Olam, fill out the form, and submit.

You may remember that in 1928, Herbert Hoover used “a chicken in every pot” as a campaign slogan, and he was elected President of the United States, defeating New York Governor Al Smith. If Hoover could accomplish that with his “chicken in the pot” slogan, imagine what the Tikkun Olam Initiative could do for needy families in our neighborhood with your donation.

CAST (Community Action Southold Town) is a local charity supported by our shul. The four women behind the new Tikkun Olam Initiative are Veronica Kaliski, Susan Rosenstreich, Madelyn Rothman and Cookie Slade.

The synagogue is still closed. We’re sure you’ve noticed. And yet, thanks to the miracle of technology and the wonder of Zoom (currently $384.53 per share, up from $70.26 one year ago), lots of us attend services every week. While relaxing at home, snacks at the ready, we sing the songs, recite the prayers, and thoroughly enjoy the informal nature of prayer every Friday at 7:30 p.m. And we return on Saturday mornings at 9:30, when with a minyan each week these days, we participate in the Torah service — streamed from our beloved sanctuary — leave the weekdays behind, and explore the lessons taught by the ancients.

The operative phrase, of course, is “with a minyan each week.” And that’s where you come in. Make a minyan to recite the kaddish. Make a minyan to read the  par’sha of the week. Make a minyan to feel like a Jew. Make a minyan to experience communal prayer. Make a minyan to feel the glorious effect all week long.

Please let us know when you will help us make a minyan. Visit the shul’s website (www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org). At the banner at the top of the page, click on “Calendars.” Click on “Minyan.” Fill in your name and the dates you will attend, and submit. It’s so easy, and it will mean so much to our members et al to know that a minyan awaits. Enjoy the great feeling.

Cast Call! Get out the grease paint. CTI’s Purimshpiel is coming to your Zoom screens on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Next stop: Broadway. Hey, ya never know…

Rabbi Gadi promises a wild shpiel. But he needs help. Starring roles in his dramatic tale of heroism and sweet revenge await all actors and over-actors. No screen test required. Here’s how to snag a part in this Purim playlet: Call the synagogue at 631-477-0232 and leave a message for the Rabbi, letting him know you’re ready for your closeup, and are willing to be one of the chosen. (We are the chosen people, right?)

And remember, it is Purim, so be sure to lay in a supply of hamantaschen for the holiday. For the best of the best, you’ll need Phil Goldman’s Secret (no longer) Recipe, which The Shofar has wrested from the Kitchen King of Christopher Street on the promise that you will shred the sacred document immediately after use.

Phil Goldman’s Hamantaschen

1 cup butter (2 sticks) at room temperature

1 cup sugar or sugar substitute, like Xylitol

4 eggs

½ cup orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

Zest of an orange (2 if small)

2 tsp. baking powder

5 cups unbleached flour

Fillings: choice of almond, apricot, poppy, prune, raspberry, cherry, strawberry

1. Cream butter and sugar, and add eggs, one at a time, while mixing
2. Add orange juice and vanilla, and continue mixing
3. Add flour and baking powder; mix until dough releases from sides of bowl and forms a ball
4. Refrigerate dough for an hour; roll out on pastry board or pastry cloth, about 1/8-inch thick
5. Cut circles (an upside-down glass works well), about 3 inches in diameter.
6. Fill each circle of dough with about a teaspoon of filling.
7. Fold two sides together, and bring up the third side to form a triangle; pinch to prevent leaks
8. Optional, brush with a beaten egg to obtain shine
9. Bake 16 minutes (or until light golden brown) at 350 degrees on a parchment paper-lined or lightly oiled sheet pan
10. Remove from pan. Cool, and enjoy. Happy Purim.